# File lib/edi4r/rexml.rb, line 35
    def to_xml( xel_parent, instance=1 )
      xel  = REXML::Element.new( normalized_class_name ) 
      xel.attributes["name"]  = @name
      xel.attributes["instance"]  = instance if instance > 1
      xel_parent.elements << xel
      instance_counter = Hash.new(0)
      each do |obj| 
        i = (instance_counter[obj.name] += 1)
        obj.to_xml( xel, i ) unless obj.empty?
      end
      xel
    end